Visceral leishmaniasis: an opportunistic infection in haematological malignancy

Visceral leishmaniasis is a rare but potentially life threatening opportuni stic protozoan infection in irnmunocompromised patients. The clinical manif estations in these patients are unusual and the diagnosis is difficult. The y need prolonged treatment and are liable to have relapses. Here we report three patients with haematological malignancy (one with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, one with chronic myeloid leukaemia, and one with myelodysplasti c syndrome) complicated with visceral leishmaniasis. The clinical presentat ion, diagnosis, and outcome are discussed.